[-] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

It is actually more about making the Democratic leadership as well as a all politician in national context become accountable to their constituency. Marketing through taglines is one of several of the multi-level ways they understand the constituency wants something. Other ways include the obvious email, call, visit, but to exert influence beyond that of the paid lobbyist, you have to create a item that rises above the noise. And the noise today is louder then ever.

The point I'm interested in is that the fascist in government need elected people with actionable paths (like Shumer and Jefferies) who can shut down the finances, use their oversight, write their own bills, use the house and Senate rules to change the tables, and turn down nomination of the executive.

This is not a time to be reasonable and negotiate as the Democrats are known for doing. It's a time for action, a time for the politicians to put their jobs and selves on the line for the democracy they swore an oath to, for the people who elected them. It's not a time to keep getting rich and just let the Republicans slide.

It they don't, we have no reason to vote for them. And yes I get the two party system problem with that, but from ashes needs to rise at least one viable Democratic leader. No body is stepping up in a profound way. We need an Eisenhower, or JFK, or Teddy at least. We need profound change, real leadership, and yelling with emotional and reason at the enemy to inspire a population.

As it is the US has jumped the shark, so it's just damage control.

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submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

I was struck by the Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO) moniker, as in addition Shumer and many of the Dems deserve a similar tag line. Few seem to be standing up during this upheaval nor being the leaders we need. They also seem to be chickens. Newsom, AOC, Sanders, Buttigieg, etc seems to at least be speaking out if not acting with an appropriate response.

Possibly ones that come to mind:

  • Chuck Shumer: CLUCK (Chuck Lacks Urgency, Caves, Kowtows), or CHILL (Chuck Hides In Low-stakes Limbo)
  • Hakeem Jefferies: JELLO (Jefferies Evades Leadership, Lacks Oomph, HAKEEM (Hesitate, Avoids,Keeps Evading Effective Moves)

Anyone else have some examples, recommendations, or discussions points?

43
submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

Politicians love tellings us what they'll do, but what are the things that you wish they'd get off their a$$ and do something about?

1
submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

BRUSSELS — The European Commission is considering allowing Euroclear to tap frozen Russian assets to help shield the G7’s €45 billion loan to Ukraine against potential retaliation by Moscow.

EU officials are weighing the move as a last-resort solution to compensate Euroclear, the Belgium-based bank holding these assets, for losses incurred in Russia due to its compliance with Western sanctions, according to three officials familiar with the matter who spoke to POLITICO.

Proponents argue the measure would fortify* *a multilateral scheme, finalized last week, that allocates windfall profits generated from around €200 billion in frozen Russian assets to repay the G7’s long-negotiated loan to Ukraine.

Euroclear is currently embroiled in litigation with multiple sanctioned parties who are using Russia’s highly politicized courts to contest their assets being withheld, and seeking compensation.

While Russian courts have little power to force the handover of euro or dollar assets held in Belgium to those with successful claims, they do have the power to take retaliatory action against Euroclear balances held in Russian financial institutions. These belong mainly to Western financial institutions and businesses, who would then be eligible to raise their own compensatory claims against Euroclear.

...

1
submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

...

The evidence is clear: When abortion is legal, democracy thrives. And when reproductive rights are restricted, democracy withers. That same story is unfolding in the U.S. right now, state by state.

Following a successful 2022 abortion ballot initiative, California guaranteed reproductive freedom in its state Constitution. As in Argentina, this move was spearheaded by a strong women’s movement in the state Legislature.

By contrast, Texas has echoed Poland’s path. After shutting down access to abortion, the state restricted its citizens’ right to travel, further curbing civil liberties.

Mobilizing for reproductive rights expands democracy because it gives women voice and control over basic freedoms. The struggle for abortion rights shows society that the personal is indeed political – and that women’s lives matter.

[-] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago

Perhaps it's time for Elon Musk to trade in his rockets and tweets for something a bit more, well, boring. After all, digging tunnels seems less likely to land him in hot water—or at least less likely to attract the attention of every regulatory agency with an acronym. With the FAA reportedly raising eyebrows over SpaceX activities and the SEC keeping tabs on his social media shenanigans, maybe subterranean ventures are the way to go.

The Boring Company might just be Musk's most grounded idea yet—literally. No satellites to launch, no cars to recall, and best of all, no character limits to consider before hitting "send." Just good old-fashioned dirt and a machine that goes "brrrr." Imagine the peace and quiet (well, except for the drilling sounds) of focusing on tunnels that could one day alleviate traffic woes—assuming they don't accidentally tap into a subway line.

And let's not forget, digging holes has a certain metaphorical elegance to it. If you're already in one, why not keep digging? It's a strategy that's worked so far, right? Plus, it's hard to get into legal trouble when you're underground—unless, of course, you accidentally tunnel into a vault or something. But hey, even then, it would make for an exciting twist in the ever-entertaining Musk saga.

So here's to hoping Elon swaps his Twitter tirades for tunnel trajectories. At least in the depths of the earth, there's no Wi-Fi to tempt him into late-night tweets that launch a thousand headlines. Maybe being boring isn't so bad after all.

zigzag

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